GIVEAWAY BackJoy Back Orthotic: Get Fit While You Sit

Posted on May 10th 2011 3:00PM by Neha Prakash

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews & Products

Courtesy of BackJoy

A flat tummy and toned abs are often what we all spend hours in the gym for. But, core muscles, the part of the body that helps suck in your stomach, can't be strengthened only by doing the plank position on a yoga mat. In fact, most studies show that core muscles rely on back muscles and posture to help suck in your gut.

Unfortunately, bad posture runs rampant in today's world of sitting in cubicle desk chairs and hunching over keyboards. Slowly, but surely, daily practices of bad posture are harming any chances we all have to build up our cores. The work we do in the gym is being negated by our slouching around at work. Unless you've had a decades worth of ballet training reminding you to sit up straight, developing strong posture and back muscles can fall at the wayside.

BackJoy Back Orthotic may have the solution to posture problems everywhere. Since May is Correct Posture Month That's Fit spoke to BackJoy President Bing Howenstein to learn how good posture can make a world of difference in a healthy lifestyle and weight loss.

TF: How is good posture vital for a healthy lifestyle?
BH: Posture is everything. The problem comes with sitting -- we are simply not designed to sit. We spend approximately 8.9 hours a day sitting, and it's only getting worse as we hunch over keyboards, blackberries and iPhones. It starts from a young age -- the minute you get into school you sit all day. Your posture becomes debilitated and you can no longer use the muscles originally designed to keep your back erect. From that point, it just all falls apart.

TF: How does BackJoy correct and improve posture?
BH: BackJoy mimics what your body is doing when you are standing when you are sitting. It stabilizes the pelvis in an active way. It lets you move your entire body -- letting your body move the way it should. By engaging the pelvis and the core you are toning your body instead of ignoring the muscles.

TF: How is BackJoy different from other posture improving products?
BH: This is what we call dynamic sitting. It's bio-mechanical so it uses your body as part of the device. It establishes the perfect postural position, allowing your pelvis to move freely. You can even slouch a little while sitting on it, but it will keep all the muscles in line. Back cushions just soften the effects of sitting and a lumbar instrument just pushes you from behind.

TF: What can we do to correct bad posture on a daily basis, even without a BackJoy.
BH: Get your back erect. Stop hunching! Try not to sit as much...get up and walk around, stretch and breathe. Try some yoga and pilates to elongate the proper muscles. Fight back against the turmoil of the modern world and straighten yourself up!

This week, one lucky That's Fit reader will win the BackJoy Back Orthotic totally free. All you have to do is enter our giveaway below for your chance to win.

To enter, leave a comment telling us how you fight bad posture. Is it through a special exercise or daily remedy or something else?

* The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET, Friday, May 13, 2011.
* You may enter only once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive one BackJoy Back Orthotic (valued at approx $40).
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada
(excluding Quebec) who are 18 or older.
* Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by email, so be sure to check
next week to find out if you've won!

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Tags: back problems, backjoy, giveaway, posture, products

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Brittany 5-10-2011 @ 3:48PM

I fight bad posture through doing yoga and stretching, but I have scoliosis so posture is really important and when sitting at my desk all day I tend to slouch. I definitely need this!!

Beth G 5-10-2011 @ 3:51PM

I would love to win this. I feel like every day at work I try to remind myself to sit up straight at least 10-20 times.

Cynthia 5-10-2011 @ 3:54PM

I know that I am constantly readjusting my sitting position while at my desk to that I am sitting straighter. I often find myself slumping over my keyboard!

Jody 5-10-2011 @ 3:57PM

My colleague and I have a rule that whenever we go in each other's offices to talk, we must stand up and stretch. We also stand up whenever we're on the phone. I try to also do exercises and stretches every hour. Basically, just trying to be more conscious of my posture and trying not to sit so much in my very sedentary job.

Sarah 5-10-2011 @ 4:00PM

I try to get up frequently from my computer and take a 20 min walk mid-day. An item like the Backjoy would be very helpful!!

Jeanne 5-10-2011 @ 4:26PM

As soon as I get up in the morning I do my A.M. yoga positions. Before bed I do my P.M. yoga stretches. But I am always finding aches that stem from a weak core.

Erik 5-10-2011 @ 5:20PM

I have one of these and its great! You can get them at www.backjoy.com

Stephanie Martin 5-10-2011 @ 6:57PM

I have to remember all the time to sit up straight. I have bad tailbone pain and sitting up straight helps a lot.

Amy 5-10-2011 @ 6:07PM

I do yoga regularly and stretch my back muscles. I also try to remind myself to not slouch at work, but it's hard sitting at a desk all day long. This would be so helpful.

dwWalker 5-10-2011 @ 6:16PM

I've been going to pilates to help tone my core and back. I also try walk away from my computer just to stretch out every hour

tracyowens 5-10-2011 @ 7:05PM

I have MS and the weakness that goes with it. I do stretching every day and exercises to try to keep my core strong. This would definitely help!

Wendy 5-10-2011 @ 7:37PM

I've been trying to strengthen my core through exercise, but still have to remind myself to hold my abs in and keep my butt tucked to stand up straight. I still catch myself slouching at my desk at work though.

Pamela Wrona 5-10-2011 @ 7:46PM

My trick for fighting bad posture is to check in several times a day suing the following tip: imagine a string attached to the top of your head being pulled straight up as you stand or walk.

june eggers 5-10-2011 @ 11:12PM

My job involves a lot of bending and lifting. You have to stay conscious of your posture all the time. Our management has a lot of training sessions and we do stretching exercises at the beginning of our work day.

cindy 5-11-2011 @ 9:14PM

I do Classical Stretch, walking, Yoga, kettlebells and barre workouts to help my posture. I try hard to work on it due to a chronic disease I have.

Connie 5-10-2011 @ 9:29PM

I just remember to sit up straight whenever possible!

Nicole 5-10-2011 @ 9:51PM

I get up out of my chair and walk around every 20 minutes and I do planks and core work at least 3 times a week.

TS 5-11-2011 @ 2:13AM

In high school, I was nagged for an hour to have good posture (orchestra). Afterwards, with no one to bug me, I just have to remind myself to have good posture, mirrors around the house to see slouching, bent over rows to strengthen the upper back muscles, and just whenever I remember. I do hear wonderful things about duct tape for posture =)

neko.yamada 5-11-2011 @ 4:43AM

I sit on a fitness ball during my work day and commit myself to do yoga at least 2 times a week. I feel that yoga really helps me be aware of my posture.

Deb 5-11-2011 @ 8:07AM

When I am home sitting at my computer I pin a ribbon from the top of my shirt to bottom of shirt. If the ribbon has slack to it, then I know I am slouching.